[How-To] Install Roms on Your New Phone

[mmarz]

Here is a mini guide for installing any rom:

1. Rooting - You need to root your phone first so that you can flash a custom recovery:
   http://forum.androidcentral.com/optimus-v-rooting-roms-hacks/57485-how-root-lg-optimus-v.html
   
   
2. What is a Recovery? - You need to flash a custom recovery so that you can backup your phone and install a custom rom. A custom recovery acts like a mini operating system that you can fall back to if something goes wrong. There are many custom recoveries. You have to flash one that is meant for your phone and compatible with the rom you want to install. Here are three that work with this phone:
   http://forum.androidcentral.com/lg-...covery-xionia-clockwork-cwma-v1-2518-6-a.html
   Custom Recovery Optimus V - Android Forums
   aospCWMod-OV-20110325.img
   You can only have one recovery installed at any given time. Consult your rom developer as to which recovery you should use.
   
   
3. Installing a Recovery - You can flash the custom recovery using adb:
   Put the recovery file in the root of your sd card and rename it to "vrecovery.img" (The extension should already be .img. If it is zip or rar, extract the img file using winzip or winrar.)
   Connect your phone to the computer using the USB cable
   Open command prompt and go to the folder containing adb.exe from the root tutorial
   Type:
   

   adb shell
   su
   flash_image recovery /sdcard/vrecovery.img

   And then wait for your phone to reboot. After typing "adb shell" or "su", you should get a "#". If you get a "$", you have not rooted your phone correctly. Go back to step 1.
   
   You can also install the recovery using Romtools which inputs the commands for you:
   http://forum.androidcentral.com/opt...3-1-ex-recoveryflasher-tons-new-features.html
   Follow the directions on that page for flashing recoveries.
   
   There is also the fastboot method of rooting and installing a recovery:
   http://forum.androidcentral.com/opt...astboot-style-fastest-easiest-way-around.html
   
   
4. Backing Up Your Phone - Once you have a custom recovery, you can make a backup of your system.
   
   To boot into your custom recovery, turn off your phone. Then hold down the home button, the volume down button, and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the LG logo flashes. Then release. Use the volume keys to navigate and the camera button to select. Use the backup and restore feature to make a backup. It will make a backup and save it to your microsd card.
   
   If you ever want to restore your backup, go back into the same backup & restore menu and select restore. Select the proper backup to restore by date and time.
   
   
5. Flashing a Rom - Now that you have a backup of your phone you can safely flash a custom rom. Only flash roms meant for your phone. You can flash them using adb, booting into the recovery, or using Romtools posted above.
   
   To install using your custom recovery, place your rom zip file onto your microsd card. Boot into your recovery using the method outlined in the previous step. Use the install zip function to install the rom. Navigate to your rom zip file, and install it.
   
   To install a rom using Romtools, follow the directions in the link posted above. Don't forget to manually make a backup first using the custom recovery. Romtools doesn't have a backup feature.
   
   
6. When to Wipe? - Some roms require you to wipe before you install them. This will remove all of your installed apps and settings. It is the equivalent to a factory reset. If a rom has no instructions, try installing without a wipe. If you have issues, go back into recovery, and wipe. Then install. Assume that you will lose all your apps either way. Some roms will wipe when they are installing. That is why it is a good idea to back up your apps using the Titanium Backup app from the market place. Then after you install your custom rom, you can recover your apps.
   
   
7. Factory Reset - Never use the built-in factory data reset of your phone found in the settings -> privacy menu. Always use the wipe feature found in the custom recovery menu.
   
   
8. Themes - After you install your custom rom you can install themes using the custom recovery's install zip feature. The theme must be meant for your rom. Realize that roms are already themes within themselves. You can create your own themes by using a theme kitchen. Google or search these forums for more info on theme kitchens. The items you can change with a theme are very limited. You can do more customization with a new launcher app than with a theme.
   
   
9. Kernels - Kernels are the core of your phone. They control how your hardware behaves. Most roms come with a compatible kernel bundled with them. There is no need to install another kernel unless there is something wrong with your current kernel.
   
   
10. Cab Files - Never install any .cab files meant for other phones or you'll end up like this guy: http://forum.androidcentral.com/optimus-v/71154-phone-bricked-cab-flash-problem.html
    Or this guy: http://forum.androidcentral.com/optimus-v/66065-mobile-data-issue-after-wrong-sw-update.html
    
    
11. Partitioning - Partitioning your microSD card means all the data on it will be lost. Backup your card to your desktop before following any guides that tell you to partition the card.

This should get you going. You'll understand the more advanced modifications once you get the basics down. Some of you guys need to get off your high horses. We all had no idea where to start when we first got our Android phones.

 

[Delphis]

Good information, greatly appreciated that you've prepared it as such. One thing though, where in the root guide are the commands mentioned for installing the custom recovery in the first place. Maybe they could be reproduced here in this first thread to 'flesh it out' so to speak?. That's the part where I was a bit confused and went with the romtools method (and my comments about that are in the romtools thread).

I certainly vote for this to be 'stickied'

 

[Jerenater10]

im confused on step 3, do i open a cmd window and do cd C:\Android\platform-tools?
im not sure what u mean when u say the folder containing adb.exe from the root tutorial because i rooted with a different guide from a different site.

 

[anthonycr]

It all makes sense now!!!! Yay for us who aren't in the dark anymore!!

 

[reddogDROID]

I hear it is possible to root and drop a rom on without connecting your phone to a PC.
Any tutorials on this?